Apparatus for operating on a normally limp surface,particularly on the edge of an envelope



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1970 L,- G. SIMJIAN APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ON A NOHMALLY LIMP SURFACE. PARTICULARLY ON THE OF AN ENVELOPE Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1968 FIG FIG

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LUTHER G. SIMJIAN Jan. E, 1979 I... G. SIMJIAN APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ON A NORMALLY LIMP SURFACE. PARTICULARLY ON THE EDGE OF AN ENVELOPE Filed May 23, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOIR. LUTHER G. SIMJIAN 3,488,674 APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ON A NORMALLY LIMP SURFACE, PARTICULARLY ON THE EDGE OF AN ENVELOPE Luther G. Simjian, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to General Research, Inc., Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 443,458, Mar. 29, 1965. This application May 23, 1968, Ser. No. 740,802

Int. Cl. 132% 41/06 US. Cl. 51217 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In order to operate on a normally limp surface, for instance, abrading the edge of a paper envelope, the article is held in a fixture with the edge portion extending therefrom. A flow of gas is provided along the article toward the normally limp edge to impart rigidity thereto to enable abrading.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application for Letters Patent Ser. No. 443,458 filed Mar. 29, 1965, which application will now be permitted to lapse, it being superseded by this present application.

This invention concerns an apparatus for operating on a normally limp or flexible surface and has particular reference to an apparatus for ridifying such surface by means of a fluid medium and operating on such surface when so rigidified.

While a limited number of devices exist to support certain flexible articles, for instance thin magnetic sheets on a magnetic work table, little has been done to permit operating on thin and flexible non-magnetic materials and, particularly, non-metallic materials such as limp paper, textile, leather or plastic articles, or sheeting. Especially when it is desired to open the edge of an envelope by removing a narrow, sliver like portion, very few mechanical devices are available.

The present invention concerns the rigidifying of a limp or flexible article or edge by means of exposing the edge or surface to be worked onto a stream of fluid. The flow of fluid, preferably a gaseous medium such as nitrogen or air, imparts rigidity to such limp surface thereby permitting the surface to be engaged by a tool, such as an abrading wheel. In this way an envelope may be opened despite the presence of metallic paper clips used for holding sheets of paper together.

One of the principal objects of this invention is, therefore, the provision of a new and improved apparatus for rigidifying a normally limp or flexible surface, particularly the edge of an envelope.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for rigidifying a normally limp surface of an article by providing a stream of fluid, preferably gas, and exposing the surface to such a stream.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for holding an envelope, exposing a normally limp or flexible edge portion which is to be abraded, and providing a stream of gas which flows past said edge portion so as to rigidity it.

Other and still further objects of this invention will be more clearly apparent by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of a simplified apparatus showing the principle of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus per FIGURE 1;

United States Patent FIGURE 3 is a plan view of an improved component of the apparatus per FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view along lines 4-4 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of an alternative arrangement;

FIGURE 6 is a view along lines 66 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment, and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view along lines 8-8 in FIGURE 7.

Referring now to the figures and FIGURES 1 and 2 in particular, numeral 12 identifies a base support block which is provided with an extending horizontal flange portion 14. A bolt 16 extends vertically from the block 12 and serves to locate a pressure plate 18 which slidably fits over the bolt. An article to be operated on, for instance a closed receptacle for articles such as a paper envelope 20, is disposed between the block 12, its flanged extension 14 and the pressure plate 18. The plate 18 is of sufficient weight to hold the envelope 20 in place, but, if desired, additional clamping means (not shown) can be employed. Such clamping means may comprise the provision of additional threaded bolts and thumb screws.

The pressure plate 18 is provided with a lengthwise undercut 19 and the opposing flange portion 14 is pro vided with a similar undercut 15. Both undercuts provide a channel through which the article 20 protrudes laterally, terminating in a normally limp or flexible edge 22 beyond the edge of the channel.

The space between the article 20 and the undercut 19 is adapted to be fed with a stream of gas by means of a flexible hose 24, a fitting 26 and a port 28. Similarly, the space between the underside of the article 20 and the undercut 15 is adapted to be fed with a stream of gas by means of a flexible hose 30, a fitting 32 and a port 34.

The stream of gas, preferably nitrogen or air, fed to the channel impinges on the article 20 and escapes laterally to ambient in the direction of the arrows. This stream or column of gas rigidities the extending article portion and particularly imparts rigidity to the article edge 22. The normally limp edge 22, now rigidifed, can be operated on, as by guiding a rotating abrading wheel 36 past the edge in the direction indicated by arrow 38. The action of the abrading wheel either will smoothen the edge or, in the case of a sealed envelope, remove sufficient edge material to open the envelope, irrespective of the presence of paper clips used for holding sheets of paper together.

An improved pressure plate construction is shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 and it shall be understood that the constructional details disclosed here are applicable also to the underlying flanged portion 14. The pressure plate 18A again is provided with an undercut 19A. The hose 24 and fitting 26 lead to a lengthwise bore 40 which runs along the length of the flanged portion in the direction of the undercut. A plurality of gas outlet ports 42 provide gas flow from the bore 40 into the space between the plate and the article. This construction, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, provides a more uniform gas column and therefore achieves a more uniformly rigidified edge. The gas flows along the surface of the article to ambient.

When the article 20 is of liquid-proof or waterproof material, such as plastic sheeting, the gaseous medium described heretofore to provide for the rigidification of the normally limp edge may be replaced by a liquid, such as water, a silicone fluid, oil and the like, without deviating from the principle described.

FIGURES 5 and 6 depict an alternative embodiment.

The holding fixture omits the undercuts shown in the previous figures. Instead, the pressure plate 18B is provided with a channel 44 which is fed with gas from a hose 24 via a fitting 26. A set of horizontal ports 46 spaced along the width of the plate 188 and connected to the channel 44 permit the gas to escape to ambient over the upper edge of the envelope. As seen in these figures, gas flow is provided only along the upper protruding surface portion, thereby causing, during operation, a slight downward bending of the edge 22.

In FIGURES 7 and 8 the pressure plate 18C is provided with a bevelled edge 48 to which a tubing 50 is attached, such as by soldering or brazing. The tubing is pinched off at one end 52 and receives gas pressure at the other end via a fitting 54 and hose 24. The tubing is provided with a plurality of radial holes 56 for permitting gas to escape and flow toward the envelope edge 22. As is apparent, no undercut is provided in the embodiments per FIGURES 8.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the apparatus disclosed hereinabove merely serve to illustrate the broad principle disclosed and that many other and further apparatus and arrangements may be designed, all making use of a stream of a fluid medium for rigidifying a normally limp surface. Generally, it will be suflicient to provide such flow at a few pounds of gauge pressure and, in order to conserve on the amount of liquid or gaseous medium used, the space between the article and the support along which the liquid or gaseous medium vents to ambient should be of relatively small volume.

In this way it is possible to open envelopes by removing only a sliver-like edge portion without being hindered in this process by paper clips and other fasteners which normally interfere with the shearing method known heretofore, particularly when the envelope tightly fits the insert material.

While there have been described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without deviating from the broad principle and intent of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for operating on the edge of an article comprising:

a base support having a substantially flat upper surface for supporting thereon one side of a flexible article, and having also a substantially shallow undercut portion;

a removable pressure plate adapted to overlie said base support surface and adapted to apply pressure upon the opposite side of such article disposed between said support and said plate; said plate also having a substantially shallow undercut portion disposed opposite the first stated undercut portion, whereby to cause an article disposed between said base support and said pressure plate to have a non-supported portion which terminates in an edge overhanging said base support and said pressure plate, and

gas flow means coupled to said base support and said pressure plate for providing a flow of gas in the space between said respective undercut portions and the respective article sides, such gas flowing from said spaces toward the overhanging edge of the article for rigidifying such edge.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and including locating means disposed between said base support and said pressure plate.

3. An apparatus for operating on the edge of an article comprising:

a base support having a substantially flat upper surface for supporting thereon one side of a flexible article, and having also a substantially shallow undercut portion;

a pressure plate movable relative to said support adapted to overlie said support surface and adapted to apply pressure upon the opposite side of such article disposed between said base support and said pressure plate; said plate also having a substantially shallow undercut portion disposed opposite said first stated undercut portion, whereby to cause an article disposed between said base support and said pressure plate to have a non-supported portion which terminates in an edge overhanging said base support and said pressure plate, and

gas flow means which include respective ports in said support and plate coupled to said support and plate for providing a flow of gas in the space between said respective undercut portions and the respective article sides, such gas being directed by said ports and undercut portions to flow from said spaces toward the overhanging article edge for rigidifying such edge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,895,122 l/l933 Benedict 5l569 X 2,019,398 10/1935 Desagnat 5156 2,173,789 9/1939 Nikles 83402 X 2,219,682 10/1940 Doble 83402 X 2,794,304 6/1957 Frankiewicz 51-323 X 2,920,520 1/1960 Duba 83-402 X 3,149,594 9/1964 Buckreus 83402 X 3,225,801 12/1965 Dunn 143160 3,273,775 9/1966 Cook 83402 X HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

